The magic panoramic roof.

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Detailed information

Changes may have been made since these images and films were produced.

The glass section of the panoramic Vario roof comprises two separate panes enclosing a number of different films. Between each film there is an emulsion containing particles which react to electricity.

When AC voltage is applied, the particles align themselves with the electrical field, allowing light to penetrate through the glass. Passengers can enjoy a clear view of the sky and a bright, welcoming interior atmosphere. When the current is off, the particles assume random positions, blocking most of the incoming light. The roof remains dark. This type of heat shield is far more effective than a roof containing conventional heat-reflecting glass, with a reduction in the interior temperature of up to 10° C being possible.

The reliability of the panoramic Vario roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL has been tested under the toughest conditions – at over 50 °C in California's notorious Death Valley.

Measurements with a device known as a star pyranometer confirmed the roof's effectiveness as a heat shield. The solar load outside of 1000 W to 1100 W per square metre dropped inside the vehicle to a mere 200 W with the roof in transparent mode. With the glass in tinted mode, the levels sank as low as 40 W to 50 W – one twentieth of the original level.

MAGIC SKY CONTROL is activated via a switch in the overhead control panel. When the vehicle is parked, the roof darkens automatically as removing the vehicle key cuts off the supply of current. The reaction time of the transparency switching depends on the outside temperature.